Q. Do the marriage laws in Eastern-rite Catholic Churches follow the Roman Catholic laws, or do they follow Eastern Orthodox laws that permit a second marriage?

N.W., via e-mail

A. Here is a reply from Father Francis Hoffman, J.C.D.:

There are two bodies of Canon Law for the Catholic Church: one for the Latin rite and another for the Eastern rites. When it comes to marriage, divine law stipulates, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” Therefore, the only reason a Catholic could attempt a second marriage in the Catholic Church — Latin rite or Eastern rite — would be if the previous marriage was declared null by the competent ecclesiastical tribunal, or was dissolved in favor of the Petrine privilege or the Pauline privilege.

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